Fermentation apparatus



June 28, 1921. 1,633,618

G. E. THOMAS FERMENTATION APPARATUS Filed Oct. 15. 1926 InUenZor: fieo yefl Thomas, a? WM Wrne y- Patented June 28, 1927.

UNITED STATES GEORGE E. THOMAS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

FERMENTATION APPARATUS.

Application filed October 15, 1926.

My invention relates to fermentation apparatus. The object is to provide an improved device for conducting tests by fermentation, and com 'irises a flask. which is simple and inexpensive to rnake. which is not easily broken, which is easily cleaned, which occupies a small space in the incubator, and which is not easily upset.

The invention also comprises, in combination with the flask, a tube or gas receiver, especially constructed for convenience in filling from the contents of the flask.

Referring to the drawings which represent merely by way of example, a suitable embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of the complete apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line 2. 2 of Fig. 1.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts in the different views.

The flask comprises the substantially spherical body portion 1, having a long vertically extending open neck 52. the flat base 23. and the'shorter inclined open neck 4. The tube which is closed at the top is inserted through the nck 2 into the flask with the open end of the tube 5 toward the bottom of the flask, the closed end of the tube 5 extending upwardly in the neck 2 toward the top thereof. The tube 5 is positioned in the flask inclined to the perpendicular. as shown, in order to facilitate emptying the tube of the liquid which may have entered it during sterilization. The tube 5, which is provided with suitable graduation marks 8. has a fairly close movable tit within the neck 2. The tube 5 is also provided With the margin of its open end 6, in a plane inclined to the horizontal. The openings of. neck 4 and neck 2 are stopped in the usual way with cotton or similar material, and a stopper 7 may be inserted in the top of neck 2, as a further precaution.

In operation, the nutrient medium, containing the sugar, or the like. is introduced into the flask through the neck 4; the quancity of the medium is snflicient to fill the major part of the bulb or spherical portion 1. The apparatus and its contents are then sterilized, after which the subject matter to be tested or treated is introduced through the neck 4 into the nutrient medium in the flask. This subject matter is thoroughly mixed with the medium by agitation and then, by properly tilting the flask, the mix- Serial No. 141,799.

ture flows into and fills the tube 5. The apparatus with its contents is then subjected to the incubator process and the gas formed or generated within or beneath the tube 5 will rise to the top of said tube, displacing the liquid therein. Suitable graduations or horizontal marks are placed upon the tube 5 at suitable intervals as indicated at 8, representing, for example, 10, 25, 50, of the volume content of the tube, so that after the incubation, the amount of gas formed in the top of the tube can be readily observed in connection with said graduation marks.

The particular advantage of this arrangement is that the subject to be treated can be effectively mixed with the nutrient medium in the bulb or spherical portion 1 of the flask, before any part thereof is introduced into the tube 5, so that the mixture throughout the tube and the flask is perfectly uni form. As the tube 5, may be made of a substantially uniform diameter, it is extremely simple to mark the same with reasonably accurate contents graduations. The apparatus is easily cleaned, since, after the removal of the tube 5, cleansing liquid may be readily introduced through one neck and discharged through the other. As the containing bulb, or spherical portion 1 of the flask. is at the base, with its lower flattened face forming its suppm'ting surface, the device is obviously stable and not liable to be upset.

The short neck 4 makes it easy to introduce and withdraw medium into or from the flask. The inclined opening (3 of the tube 5 facilitates the lilling of the tube by the simple tilting of the flask.

\Vhile T have shown the neck 2, extending Vertically, as the preferred construction, it will be understood that this neck may be slightly out of the vertical line without seriously affecting the usefulness of the apparatus.

lVhat I claim is 1. A fermentation apparatus comprising a flask having an enlarged liquid containing formation at its base, and an elongated open neck formation, extending above the enlarged formation, and a second shorter neck formation projecting from the enlarged formation at one side of the first mentioned neck formation, in combination with a tubular formation, closed at the top and open at the bottom, extending into said elongated tltl llt)

neck with its open end extending toward the bottom of the flask.

2. A fermentation apparatus comprising a flask having an enlarged liquid containing formation at its base, and an elongated open neck formation, extending above the enlarged formation, and a second shorter neck formation projecting from the enlarged formation at one side of the first mentioned neck formation, in combination with a tubular formation, closed at the top and open at the bottom, extending into said elongated neck with its open end extending toward the bottom and to one side of the vertical axis of the flask.

3. A fermentation apparatus comprising a flask having a substantially spherical containing body at its base with a straight neck, extending in a substantial vertical direction above the spherical portion, and having a shorter neck, extending from the side of the spherical portion at an angle inclined to the horizontal, in con'ibination with a tube closed at the top having a movable tit within the neck and with its lower end opening toward the bottom of the flask.

4. A fermentation apparatus comprising a flask having a substantially spherical containing body at its base with a straight neck, extending in a substantially vertical direction above the spherical portion, and having a shorter neck, extending from the side of the soherical portion at an angle inclined to the iorizontal, in combination with a tube closed at the top having a movable fit within the neck and with its lower end opening toward the bottom of the flask, said lower end being opened with its margin in a plane inclined to the horizontal.

5. A fermentation apparatus comprising a flask having a substantially spherical containing body at its base with a straight neck, extending in a substantialiy vertical direction above the spherical portion, and having a shorter neck, extending from the side of the spherical portion at an angle inclined to the horizontal, in combination with a tube marked with gmduationv, closed at the top having a movable fit within the neck and with its lower end opening toward the bottom of the flask.

GEORGE E. THOMAS. 

